……….
Posted Feb 7, 2025 | 4:45 PM
Rudolf Heijdens, age 90, passed away on February 4, 2025 at the age of 90. Rudy, as he was affectionately known, was born on November 24, 1934, in the Netherlands, and emigrated to Canada with his family in 1951.
Rudy dedicated his life to music from an early age. He began his organ studies at 10, while still in the Netherlands, and continued them while working as an organist and choir director in various congregations throughout the province.
He obtained his Teacher Certificate, and entered the educational field as music supervisor for schools. While working as a music supervisor, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in music (1971) from what is now Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Education from Queen’s University (1985). After having moved to Belleville, he was offered the position of Curriculum Coordinator-of-the-Arts with the then Hastings County Board of Education, a position that he held until his retirement in 1993.
In 1986 he founded the Hastings County Board of Education Concert Choir, later renamed to the Hastings and Prince Edward Children’s Chorus. Over the next 30 years, he trained hundreds of choristers to form ensembles that would travel, tour and compete internationally, especially participating in prestigious choral competitions throughout Europe.
Among the many honours he has received for his work with the choirs, he values the two Rotary International Paul Harris awards and the Arts Recognition Award from the Quinte Arts Council. For thirty-three years Rudolf served as Director of Music and organist at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Ontario, from which he retired in 2005 in order to devote all his time and energy to the Children’s Chorus.
Steady at the helm in music, Rudy was also steady at the helm in his 28-foot-long Ruhaven sailboat and sailed all over the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
Rudy now joins his first wife, Alice, in eternal slumber, and is survived by his former wife Jean, his sisters Corrie and Francine, his children, Rudy Jr, Carolyn, Gerald, Glenn, Teresa, David, Christopher and Andrew, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Tuesday, February 11 at Burke Funeral Home in Belleville (150 Church St.) and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, February 12, at the St. Thomas’ Anglican Church in Belleville (201 Church St.). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, Belleville.